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Wednesday, February 22, 2006

Three day weekends are a luxury I could easily live with. I love my job, what I don't love is having to get out of bed in the morning. The PUGS make it even more difficult by sleeping until I'm just about ready to leave the house; reluctant to get up to take a quick walk outside.

The weather is perfect, high 70's with a mild breeze coming in off the Gulf. I want to crawl back into bed with the puppies, I want to be in New Orleans for Mardi Gras, I want to stay home from work today, I really need to hit the lottery!

Tomorrow begins the official final carnival days leading up to Mardi Gras.

The parades will get increasingly larger and more elaborate as each day go by.

The elaborate carnival balls, the private parties, the crowded restaurants, bars and streets this year will only be a cameo of happier times.

This weekend will most likely be the time when those displaced by hurricane Katrina miss being home the most. Surely, a majority will eventually return.

Mardi Gras, for the residents of New Orleans is a way of life; a holiday celebrated with as much, if not more enthusiasm than Christmas. For the children, it's a holiday where schools are not in session; a time to watch parades, catch beads and assorted "throws".

The first parades leading up to Mardi Gras begin Thursday with the following parades.

THURSDAY

The Krewe of BabylonThe Krewe of ChaosThe Krewe of Muses

FRIDAY

The Krewe of HermesThe Krewe d'EtatThe Krewe of Morpheus

SATURDAY

The Krewe of IrisThe Krewe of TucksThe Krewe of EndymionElsewhere in America, from as far north as Biddeford, Maine to the West Coast in San Diego more and more organizations will be celebrating Mardi Gras this year; many being held as benefits for disaster relief.

I don't know what the proper Mardi Gras greeting is but you are so enthused by the event I feel compelled to wish you a Most Happy Mardi Gras, my friend. I hope by next year you can enjoy it in your beloved New Orleans.

We are regulars at O'Keefe's Tavern on Thursdays and I promise to raise my glass to you tomorrow!